SECOND-HALF goals by midfield pair Andy King and Bruno Berner - his first for the club - saw Leicester retain top spot in League One with a hard-earned win in Cumbria.

The Foxes had to come from behind after lowly Carlisle edged the first half at a saturated Brunton Park.

United led through Dan Graham’s tap-in after 29 minutes before the game turned on the hour.

City’s on-loan Liverpool keeper Dave Martin made a crucial one-on-one save from former Premiership star Michael Bridges and within a minute King had levelled.

Berner scored the winner nine minutes later to give City a fifth consecutive win and delight manager Nigel Pearson.

It was a triumphant return to Brunton Park for Pearson, who began his managerial career at Carlisle.

“We had to win the game from a losing position and there were aspects of the first half that I wasn’t pleased about,” Pearson said. “It was a tough match and Carlisle may feel they should have got something.

“But we were worthy winners as we created more chances.

“We are expected to be at the top of the table and to stay there we have to come to places like Carlisle and scrap for all three points.”

The Foxes almost fell behind after two minutes when a Jack Hobbs error saw Bridges set up Graham only for Kerrea Gilbert to make a goal-saving block inside the area.

Carlisle broke the deadlock after Graham Kavanagh’s free kick had been cleared.

When the ball was returned into the mix, Paul Thirlwell’s header saw Graham beat Martin to walk the ball into the net.